Admission
Admission to Centre is selective. Centre College typically enrolls students who have completed strong college preparatory high school programs and have achieved good academic records in their course work. Though most admitted students present high school programs that include more college preparatory courses, including honors and advanced-level work, the minimum preparation required for admission to Centre includes the following: English—4 units, Mathematics—4 units (Algebra I and II, geometry, and at least one advanced math course), Science—2 units (laboratory courses), Social studies—2 units Foreign language—2 units, the arts—some study in this area. If the “core” courses above are not available, or if unusual circumstances such as home study or foreign travel preclude such study, the Admission Committee may choose to exercise flexibility.
While the quality of the student’s high school program and his or her level of achievement are the primary factors in admission decisions here, we also examine several other elements of the application. First, the results of either the ACT or the SAT are considered. The highest score attained on either test is used in the admission decision. Centre uses the highest combination of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math scores to calculate an SAT total score. Similarly, we combine a student's highest ACT section scores to calculate a new composite score. Second, Centre requires a written personal statement on a provided topic. Third, Centre requires a secondary school evaluation prepared by the applicant's high school counselor. Additionally, one written recommendation is required from a teacher who has taught the student in a college preparatory course during the junior or senior year. Supplementary recommendations from a coach, employer, etc. may be submitted. We also evaluate the student’s involvement in areas such as school activities, athletics, fine arts, community groups, and part-time work. An interview is not a requirement for admission, but we strongly recommend one to ensure that there is a good match between the student’s interests and talents and Centre’s academic and non-academic offerings.
Centre accepts the Common Application as its only application form, which is available to students the summer prior to entering senior year. A brief written supplement is required an is included on the Common Application. Students may submit the Common Application online at commonapp.org and there is no application fee. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they have decided that Centre is one of their choices. Students may apply in one of three ways: Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision. Centre College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran’s status, citizenship status, or genetic information in its admission process. The college admits its students on the basis of achievement, qualification, and character.
Early Decision
Students who believe Centre is their first-choice college and who are prepared to make an early commitment to Centre may apply Early Decision (ED) by November 15. Early Decision candidates pledge to enroll if they are admitted, provided they receive a financial aid award that makes attendance possible. Applicants will receive admission and scholarship decisions by January 1 and financial aid notification in early January. Admitted ED students submit an enrollment deposit by February 1 and will withdraw their applications to any other colleges.
Early Action
Students who want an early evaluation of their application may apply under our Early Action plan. If a student submits all the required admission application pieces by December 1 of his or her senior year and indicates that he or she would like to be considered under the Early Action plan, we will evaluate the application early and send our official admission decision by mid-January. There is no obligation for the student to make a college choice at that time, as the required response date is the same as for regular applicants—May 1 of the senior year (the National Candidate’s Reply Date). Students receive their financial aid package in February.
Regular Decision
The Regular Decision deadline is January 15. Students must submit their applications by January 15. They can expect to receive notification of admission by mid-March, and admitted students must notify the College of their college choice by May 1. Students receive their financial aid package in March.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit
In general, we view all coursework completed before high school graduation as preparation for a rigorous, four-year academic experience at Centre, not as a substitute for courses on our campus. However, we do recognize credit earned through two internationally-recognized programs. Through the Advanced Placement program of the College Board, Centre awards a minimum of three hours of credit for scores of 4 or 5 on most Advanced Placement exams taken in the junior and/or senior years of high school. Credit for foreign language requires validation by the College's own language placement exam. Academic programs may award additional credit and assign course equivalencies.
Centre also recognizes the International Baccalaureate program and will generally grant college credit for exam scores of 6 or 7 earned on the higher-level exams. Credit may be awarded for a grade of 5 or higher on the higher-level exams in foreign languages. Regardless of credit granted, individual major programs have the prerogative to place students in an appropriate course, to waive lower-level requirements, and to determine equivalencies to courses in their curriculum.
Credit may be granted for appropriate courses appearing on a college transcript provided the course is taught in a classroom on a college campus, by a college instructor who is not also a high school instructor, in a class that includes college students who are not also high school students. Students wishing to transfer college credits earned during the summer prior to enrollment at Centre must have those courses approved for transfer in advance by Centre’s registrar.
NOTE: A maximum of 24 hours of pre-matriculation credits may be awarded to first-year students from all sources (e.g., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual-credit, all other college credit). Credit is not awarded for any course or exam completed prior to the start of the junior year in high school.
Admission of Transfer Students
We welcome applications from qualified students who want to transfer from other colleges or universities. Transfer applications are evaluated using the following criteria: the quality of academic performance in previous college courses; the level of preparation and academic achievement in secondary school; academic aptitude and achievement as measured by such tests as the ACT or SAT; and a written essay. Involvement in school or community activities or in employment is also considered. Any transfer student should be in good academic and social standing at his/her previous institution and be eligible to return there. Normally, the student should have had high school preparation equivalent to Centre’s regular admission requirements. Credit is given for courses comparable to those taught at Centre or those which are compatible with a liberal arts education. Credit will be granted only for courses in which the grade attained was “C-” or better. Transfer students must complete all of the College’s requirements for graduation. In addition, they must complete at least 54 credit hours at Centre, including 23 of the last 30. A portion of Centre’s general education requirements may be required through course work at Centre.
International Students
Centre welcomes applications from foreign citizens who have outstanding secondary school records and who meet university entrance requirements in their native countries. International students should apply for admission via the Common Application (www.commonapp.org). International students may be considered for competitive merit scholarships and for limited need-based financial aid. International applicants whose primary language of instruction is not English must present credentials attesting to their proficiency in English. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing system (IELTS) is required for all non-native speakers of English unless they have studied in an institution in which English is the sole medium of instruction. The minimum TOEFL score accepted is 90 (internet based) and the minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Additional instructions for international students are on the College’s admission web pages.
Campus Visits
We strongly encourage prospective students to visit the campus, either for an open house event or a daily visit. A weekday visit during the academic year will typically include touring the campus with a Centre student, meeting with an admission counselor, and attending a class or meeting with an appropriate faculty member. Airport pick-ups in Lexington’s and Louisville are also available. The Admission Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday all year and by appointment on selected Saturdays from September through April from 9 a.m. until noon. Visits should be scheduled in advance through the College’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Need-Based Financial Assistance
Students seeking need-based financial assistance at Centre must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA serves as an application and need-analysis document for federal and state financial aid funds (grants, loans, and student employment).
In addition to filing the FAFSA, each applicant must submit the Centre Aid Form to our Financial Aid Office by January 31st to be considered for Centre's own generous grant program. However, financial aid applications for the 2019-2020 academic year can be filed beginning October 1, 2018, and we strongly encourage all Kentucky students to apply before December 1, 2018. Also, a copy of the parents’ and student’s base year’s federal income tax transcript (2017 for the 2019-2020 academic year) may be requested as well as a verification worksheet.
Consideration for financial aid and scholarships is made after the student has officially been offered admission to the College. The College does not discriminate in either admission or financial assistance based upon race, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, creed or disability.
All aid applicants receive consideration for federal and state programs before the College provides additional aid from its own funds. Because each need-based award reflects the financial circumstances of the student’s family, strict confidentiality is maintained concerning financial awards. Subject to the applicant’s annual eligibility status, it is our intent to continue aid to a student for the four-year undergraduate program at Centre. However, the grant, loan, and work dollar amounts of an individual’s aid package may vary from year to year depending on FAFSA data, the availability of funds and Centre’s financial aid policies.
Prospective students interested in receiving an estimate of their financial aid award may utilize the Net Price Calculator located on the Centre website.
KEES
Students who receive the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) are required to meet federal or state-mandated minimum grade point averages in order to maintain eligibility for the scholarships. Please consult the KHEAA.com website for further information.
Federal Pell Grants
Pell recipients have a lifetime eligibility of six years maximum.
Financial Aid (FA) Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
Federal regulations required that all students who received any federal or state financial assistance make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree at Centre College. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be required for the following types of financial aid: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, KHEAA State Grants, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, other aid involving Title IV funds, or any other aid for which satisfactory progress is a requirement. These policies apply only to eligibility to receive financial aid and not to academic status. The Satisfactory Academic Progress of students will be monitored at the end of each spring semester. Recipients of Centre College endowment funds – other than merit scholarships – must meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress below. However, these funds will only be awarded for a maximum of ten (10) long terms.
Satisfactory Academic Progress is measured in three ways:
Students must progress qualitatively by earning the required grade point average (Achievement).
Students must progress quantitatively by completing the required minimum number of credits each year (Pace).
Students must complete their program of study within a reasonable time period (Duration).
Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
Qualitative Measure GPA (Achievement)
Students receiving financial aid must meet the following cumulative grade point average, based on long terms completed.
1 long term: 1.650 grade average
2 long terms: 1.750 grade average
3 long terms: 1.850 grade average
4 long terms: 1.930 grade average
5 long terms: 1.970 grade average
6 or more long terms: 2.00 grade average
Quantitative Measure (Pace)
Students receiving financial aid must also satisfactorily complete 67% of all hours attempted. All attempted hours will be totaled and multiplied by 67% (.67) to determine the number of credit hours a student must have earned. Grades of U, WU, WP, I, W, AU, NC, and transfer hours are counted as attempted hours and will NOT count as earned hours. Repeated courses will be included in the attempted hours total. Centre College does not offer remedial courses, so they are not included in either the hours attempted or the hours earned.
Maximum Time Frame (Duration)
The maximum time frame in which a student must complete his or her degree cannot exceed more than 150% of the length of their academic program. Centre College requires a minimum of 110 credit hours to complete the degree. Therefore, Centre students can attempt up to 165 hours and still be eligible for aid. Once 165 hours are exceeded, aid would be suspended. All repeated courses, failed courses, withdrawals, courses taken from a change in major and transferred hours will count as credit hours attempted toward the maximum time frame.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students who fail to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students on financial aid suspension are NOT eligible to receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid. The mere passage of time will not restore eligibility to a student who has lost eligibility for failure to make satisfactory academic progress.
How to Regain Eligibility
Qualitative GPA /Achievement
To regain eligibility, complete courses at your own expense at Centre College and raise your cumulative GPA to the acceptable standard.
Quantitative/Pace
To regain eligibility, take courses at your own expense in a subsequent term or terms and meet the standards according to the cumulative credit hours completion ratio outlined above under the heading Quantitative Measure.
Maximum Time Frame/Duration
Students who exceed the maximum time frame are not eligible to regain eligibility.
Right to Appeal
If there were extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting the standards of our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, then you have a right to file an appeal with the Committee for Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals. This appeal must be a detailed appeal letter and MUST include the following:
The reasons why you did not meet satisfactory academic progress, and
The dates and time periods involved, and
An explanation of how your situation has changed and how these changes will allow you to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation.
The appeal may not be based upon the need for financial aid assistance or the lack of knowledge that the financial aid assistance was in jeopardy. A student may appeal more than once if the student is placed on SAP suspension more than once. However, the basis for the subsequent appeal must be a substantially different circumstance from the prior appeal.
Appeals may be mailed to:
The FA Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee
Financial Aid Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut St.
Danville, KY 40422
Or E-mail: finaid@centre.edu, or FAX: 859-238-8719
Appeal Decisions
Require approximately 3 weeks. Notification will be emailed to the student’s centre.edu address. Decisions of the FA Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee are final.
Approved Appeals and Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation
Students whose appeals are approved may be placed on a FA SAP Academic Plan or on Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation for one long term only. (Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation is for financial aid purposes only and is separate from academic probation.)
Students placed on ‘FA Probation’ or FA SAP Academic plan regain eligibility for financial aid if:
The student placed on FA probation meets ALL of the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress by the end of one subsequent long term enrollment, or
The student has been placed on a FA SAP Academic Plan and is making progress in their academic plan after being reviewed at the end of the next long term. Subsequently, students making progress in their academic plan will be review for continued progress annually at the same time that all students are reviewed for SAP. The FA SAP Academic Plan will lead to graduation and, if followed, ensures that the student is able to meet all the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress by a specific point in time.
Students who have met the standards above will be placed in ‘Meets SAP’ status at the conclusion of the probationary or FA SAP Academic Plan review period. Students who do not meet all of the Standards of Satisfactory Academic progress or academic plan requirements while on ‘FA Probation’ will be placed on ‘FA Suspension.”
This policy is subject to change without notice in order to remain compliant with federal regulations.
Scholarships
Centre offers competitive scholarships to selected students who have established outstanding academic and personal records in high school. These scholarships (often referred to as “merit” scholarships) are awarded without regard to financial need. All admitted applicants will be considered for merit scholarship. Admission applications must be postmarked on or before January 15. Any scholarship received by a student is applied toward comprehensive fee costs at the College. Scholarship winners may also be eligible for additional need-based financial assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed to obtain Federal financial aid; the Centre Aid Form (CAF) is also required for institutional need-based aid.
Merit Awards, Legacy, Performing Arts and Language Awards require full-time enrollment.
Scholarship recipients must live on-campus unless living at home with their parents in the local area. Retention of merit awards requires meeting minimum grade point averages that are graduated according to the size of the award. Such requirements are communicated to the student in the original scholarship notification through the admission process. Loss of a merit scholarship for failing to meet the minimum grade point average is not automatic; students are permitted to petition the Academic Standards Committee for an exception based on credible reasons. The Associate Dean of the College has been designated counselor for merit scholarship recipients and is available to answer further questions.
Comprehensive Fee, Payment Plans, and Refund Policies
Student assessments provide approximately 70% of the annual income required to support Centre College's operating budget. Other funding is provided by endowment income, corporate, foundation, and government grants, and by contributions from alumni and friends of the College.
Comprehensive Fee and Other Charges
The 2019-2020 comprehensive fee is $53,740.00 and includes a double room and choice of meal plans. Students choosing to live at home with parent(s) will be given a room credit and, if they wish, a meal plan credit. Other students granted permission to live off-campus will receive a room credit only, as they are required to participate in a meal plan.
There is a non-refundable surcharge for long-term residential study abroad programs, and an additional charge for CentreTerm study abroad opportunities.
During the course of the year additional charges may be assessed for various miscellaneous items such as library fines, parking fines, health service fees, and room damages. Monthly statements will be sent to the student’s permanent address indicating any additional charges assessed in the prior month, which are due upon receipt of the statement. Additionally, there are course fees assessed for applied music courses and certain art courses, as well as the student initiated $20 annual green fee. A $300 non-refundable deposit will be expected in the spring for those students who plan to return for the 2020 fall term.
A single room occupancy charge is assessed for any academic term that a student does not have a roommate unless the Dean of Student Life or Director of Student Life and Housing informs the Finance Office that an exception should be made. The charge is $1035.00 for each fourteen-week term.
Payment Plans
Term Plan – The net charges for the Fall Term are due in full by August 14, 2019. The Spring Term net charges are due in full by December 21, 2019. There is a fee if payment is made using a credit or debit card.
Monthly Plan – This plan offers a 5 or 4 month payment option for the fall and/or spring terms. This program is interest free with the fall first payment due on July 10 or August 1 and the spring first payment is due on December 10 or January 1. Monthly payments are made online through Centre ePayment. There is an enrollment fee of $35.00 each term and enrollment is required to participate in a monthly plan. A payment plan is automatically cancelled if two payments are missed.
Refunds
If a student withdraws from the College, a refund/reduction of charges will be made based on the following schedule for the respective fourteen-week terms:
Fall Term
Sept. 2-Sept. 8: 80% Refund
Sept. 9-15: 60% Refund
Sept. 16-22: 40% Refund
Sept. 23-29: 20% Refund
Sept. 30 and after: 0% Refund
Spring Term
Feb. 5-Feb 11: 80% Refund
Feb. 12-18: 60% Refund
Feb. 19-25: 40% Refund
Feb. 26-Mar. 3: 20% Refund
Mar. 4 and after: 0% Refund
Institutional and Kentucky financial aid credits may be adjusted as a result of any decrease in charges based on the above table due to withdrawal from the College. If a student violates the terms and conditions of the student housing contract or other College regulations, and such violation results in disciplinary action which includes some form of suspension or expulsion, this refund policy does not apply and the student will be held liable for the full charges for that term. Recipients of federal and state financial aid are subject to the federal “Return of Title IV Funds” policy, which mandates how funds are to be refunded. A copy of this policy is available in the Finance Office.
Additional Financial Information
Student billing statements are mailed to the student at their permanent address. If a campus or alternate billing address is required, a form containing such information must be completed by the student in the Registrar’s Office. Students can view their account statement on Centrenet, under the Finance Info tab.
Interest will accrue at the rate of 1.5% on the last business day of each month on the unpaid balance. This does not apply to students who are participating in the monthly payment plan. A student's account must be paid in full before any monies are accepted for the next year's CentreTerm trip deposits.
A student cannot receive official certifications, including transcripts and grades, from the College if he/she is delinquent with any financial obligation to the College. Additionally, a student will not be permitted to participate in any pre-registration activities if there are unpaid balances owed to the College. If an unpaid balance remains after the student has graduated or withdrawn, the student will be responsible for all attorney fees and other reasonable collection costs and charges necessary for the collection of the unpaid balance.
Normally, the comprehensive fee is assessed for all regular, degree-candidate students, including students permitted by the Associate Dean and the Dean of Student Life to drop to part-time status. (See the “Classification of Students” section under “Academic Services and Policies” for restrictions on part-time enrollment). An appropriate part-time tuition rate is assessed for part-time students (fewer than 12 credit hours in the long term) only under the following circumstances:
- For special students (non-degree candidates);
- For regular, degree candidates enrolled for a ninth long term or longer following eight long terms of full-time enrollment; and
- For non-traditional, degree candidates who cannot enroll full-time due to family or work obligations. For the purpose of this policy, “non-traditional” is defined as students 24 years or older not living on campus or with parents/guardians.
NOTE: Part-time students are ineligible for, or face restrictions on, certain types of financial aid and loans, including Centre aid and awards. Students should consult the Financial Aid Office before enrolling part-time.
Enrollment of readmitted students and of students returning from a leave of absence is subject to clearance from the Finance Office to make certain that the student has no outstanding financial obligations to the College. In addition, the payment of a $300 non-refundable deposit is to be made to the Finance Office.
Cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted in the Bookstore, the Finance Office, and online through Centre ePayment. There is a $25 charge for all returned checks and a 2.75% fee when using a credit or debit card in the Finance Office and on Centre ePayment. Personal checks up to $100 may be cashed at the Finance Office by showing a current student ID card. The cashier’s window is open from 8:30am – Noon and from 1:00pm - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday.
An elective health insurance plan is available through an independent company. For more information visit the Parsons Student Health Center web-page. All international students are required to participate in Lewer Health insurance charged once each term.
Students are responsible for the individual or family insurance coverage of personal belongings and automobiles brought to the campus. Centre College will not assume any liability for accidental loss or damage incurred.